The Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) has tentatively welcomed the Queensland Biosecurity Capability Review, but has called for more detail on implementation.
The Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries today released the official Review, flagging significant changes in capacity, culture and internal operations. The document promotes a ‘shared responsibility’ approach spanning industry and community, and suggests the need for widespread reforms in systems and approaches so that Biosecurity Queensland (BQ) moves to that of biosecurity ‘enabler’.
ABGC Chairman Doug Phillips said while he supported the view that biosecurity should be a shared responsibility, industry needs to be a party to the ongoing discussions on how that would work at a grass roots level. “These reforms should not be about cost shifting. The focus is about delivering better biosecurity outcomes for everyone.”
Mr Phillips said overall, the banana industry was happy with the recommendations contained in the Review, but required assurance from the State Government that BQ would have the necessary financial support to continue to do its job. “The industry must be able to trust that Biosecurity Queensland is fully resourced to effectively do its job, now and into the future.
“The ABGC would certainly not support an increase in fees and charges for biosecurity certification and inspection services, to raise revenue to afford the changes the Review suggests are necessary.’”
Mr Phillips said the banana industry would expect extensive discussion about any proposed change to the current surveillance strategy, specifically in the TR4 response. “Banana growers need to be confident that surveillance is being conducted in a reliable and consistent way. It is a vital component of any biosecurity response.
“Future management must include proper incentives for growers to report suspected detections. In order to protect our industry, prevention capacity is just as important as emergency response capacity.
“The ABGC would also welcome the creation of a Response Unit that is staffed by experienced and resourced people who can quickly mobilise their effort and start addressing an incursion,” he said.
Source: Fresh Plaza